Audi is stoking the fires of speculation about a high performance RS5 Quattro Coupe model by releasing info of a new light weight A5 prototype. Thanks to an aluminum (rather than steel) frame, along with a carbon fiber hood and trunk, the Aluminum A5 prototype weights just 2,888 lbs. That is a total of 242 lbs less than even the 2.0T model.

Audi has said that there are no immediate plans to build an aluminum A5 – due mostly to the significant cost in producing such a model.

For several months now, Audi has been reported to be building a light-weight high performance model along the lines of a RS5, but with a focus on being more like the original Quattro Coupe. Presumably, such a model would use this aluminum chassis, along with these carbon fiber components (and maybe more) along with the TT-RS’s 340hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine.

Official release after the jump:

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Along with a limited edition Exige S 260 model for 2010, Lotus has made upgrades to the Exige S 240 this year. Much of the car remains the same, although changes have been made to the bodywork to improve the cars aerodynamic efficiency.

A new front bumper features a larger main air intake to channel more air to the radiator, while side vents feed air to two oil coolers, with horizontal vanes to stabilize airflow. A new composite front splitter now wraps around the entire front end of the Exige to reduce drag around the tires. Finally, one of the most notable changes for 2010 is the new rear spoiler, which has been adapted from the Exige GT3 concept car that was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2007. This new wing is 7.1-inches wider and is mounted 1.8-inches higher and 2.4-inches further back, reducing drag while keeping the previous spoiler’s downforce rating of 93 lbs at 100 mph.

A new option pack for 2010 is the Track Package, with adjustable Ohlins shocks and remote oil reservoirs for both the front and rear.

Otherwise, the Exige S 240 remains mostly unchanged (which is hardly a bad thing). The car weighs 2,077 lbs and is powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter Toyota-sourced four-cylinder engine making 240hp at 8000 rm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 5500 rpm, enabling a sprint to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. All the while, the Exige S 240 boasts a fuel economy rating of 20/26 mpg (city/highway).

The starting price for the 2010 Exige s 240 remains unchanged at $65,690, with sales starting in both the U.S. and Canada this Fall.

GALLERY: 2010 Lotus Exige S 240

More on the 2010 Exige S 240 After the Jump:

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As expected, auto industry sales were way down for the month of September, after record highs posted during the previous month with the Cash for Clunkers program in effect.

Compared to September of 2008, GM’s sales declined 45 percent, while Chrysler dropped 42 percent. Ford’s posted just a modest 5 percent loss due in part to steady gains in the truck segment, with F-150 pickups (pictured above) selling at an increased pace.

As for the high-volume foreign automakers, Honda dropped 20 percent, Toyota was down 13 percent and Nissan slumped by 7 percent. And with some automakers losing ground, others were sure to grab market share with Hyundai/Kia up 26 percent (its third straight monthly gain), while Porsche rose 8 percent, BMW was up 4 percent and Subaru posted a 1 percent increase.

The loses for September are actually worse than they sound, as the month they are being compared to, September of 2008, was a brutal month for auto industry sales, after the collapse of Lehman Brothers started the recession watch.

Overall, the industry wide decline is listed at 23 percent for September, slightly better than the average 28 percent drop for the previous eight months.

Industry analysts expect these slumping sales to continue through the rest of 2009.

For a full breakdown of each automaker’s sales in September, see after the jump:

[Source: Automotive News]

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Along with a new EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 option, Ford is apparently preparing to offer the F-150 with the company’s secret 5.0-liter V8 “Coyote” engine. A bevy of F-150s were spotted by the folks at PickupTrucks.com, and the spy photographers were even able to get up close and under the hood to see the new V8 (pictured above).

This new engine will reportedly make around 400hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque and will be shared with the Mustang GT. Both the current 4.6-liter V8 and 5.4-liter V8 engines will be dropped from the Ford lineup, with the EcoBoost taking the place of the 4.6 and the Coyote replacing the 5.4L unit.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

After releasing the limited edition Nissan GT-R SpecV (pictured above) last year, rumors of a more comfort-oriented SpecM model have surfaced. Those rumors have now reportedly been confirmed by GT-R project chief Kazutoshi Mizuno, when he ran into the folks from PistonHeads at Nissan’s Nürburgring test facility.

The SpecM edition is geared slightly more towards luxury but is supposed to offer a very close level of performance to the standard GT-R. The philosophy behind this model is to create another limited edition version with more of a bespoke feel, using higher end materials and a premium audio system.

Contrary to previous reports, Mizuno said that the SpecM will not debut at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month, but will be unveiled some time mid way through 2010.

In addition to this info, Mizuno also mentioned a few details about the 2010 GT-R, stating that it would come with an upgraded suspension, the SpecV’s rear diffuser and NACA ducts will be fitted at the rear of the car for better airflow and improve brake cooling.

Possibly the coolest addition, however, is the optional NISMO data-logging setup that will allow owners to download the data from the GT-R’s ECU on a USB stick so they can study it on their home computer or share it with friends.

Be sure to check out our review of the GT-R SpecV here:

2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV First Drive

[Source: Piston Heads]

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Ford has just released seven new high quality videos about the new 2011 F-Series Super Duty (and its all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8) that debuted last week at the Texas State Fair. Hosted by Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs, the short programs examine the the new truck, its powertrain and incredible capability.

If you like trucks, diesels or just great engineering, these spots are all worth a look. They take you through the basics of the (complex) new diesel engine, as well as innovative features like Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off), which allows auxiliary equipment like snowplows or salt spreaders to be powered through the transmission.

The only thing Ford hasn’t told us about the all-new 2011 Super Duty is exactly how much power the new Power Stroke 6.7-liter V8 motor makes.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

See after the jump for six more videos:

[Source: m80im]

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Unlike the past two years, Lexus will have a more low-key presence at the SEMA Show for 2009. In the past, Toyota’s luxury division had significant outdoor exhibits, centered mostly around the IS and IS-F performance sedans. Last year the automaker distributed four of its IS-F sedans to four different companies (Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance, MotorworldHype, 0-60 Magazine and Import Tuner magazine/TEIN). The year before that Lexus contracted Five Axis to build a very impressive matte-black widebody IS-F (shown above).

With industry cutbacks Lexus isn’t handing out cars any more, but it will have a display. What will they put in the display then? The answer is: your car… if you’re lucky.

If you have a highly modified Lexus that you think is worthy of the SEMA Show, please send photos and a description of the car to lexus.sema@teamone-usa.com . Submissions will be received until October 8th at midnight. Winners will get paid transport (for them and their ride) to the SEMA Show, which runs from Tuesday November 3rd to Friday November 6th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

GALLERY: 2007- 2008 Lexus SEMA Cars

[Source: My.is]

McLaren has officially made it clear that the company’s new M4-12C exotic will be sold in North America with the appointment of a director to the region.

Anthony Joseph will head up McLaren Automotive North America, while Christian Marti was also appointed as the regional director for Europe. A network of 10 McLaren franchises in the U.S. and Canada will be set up for the MP4′s production launch in 2011.

“This is such an amazing opportunity to be part of the launch of not just a brand new range of high-tech sports cars, but the launch of a new car company in a region which will be a major market for McLaren Automotive,” said Joseph. “Utilizing our engineering expertise and racing heritage, we will build cars using nothing but McLaren components, in lower numbers, and higher quality than our competitors. This ensures exclusivity, which I’m sure will be a major factor in generating strong demand and ongoing high residual values from 2011.”

Joseph has a long history in the automotive industry, having started with Subaru of America in the 1990′s as a district sales manager, before moving to Porsche North America in 1998 and then on to Maserati and finally to Ferrari before landing the position at McLaren.

The McLaren MP4-12C is aimed squarely at exotics like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo. It is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that makes 600hp and 433 ft-lbs of torque. No performance specs have yet been released but we expect a 0-60 mph time of around 3.5 seconds with a top speed in the 200 mph range. The V8 engine is mated to a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The vehicle’s weight promises to be exceptionally low thanks to a full-carbon monocoque chassis, rather than a weaker and heavier structure made of welded aluminum, steel, magnesium or other materials.

The MP4 will go on sale in 2011 with roughly 1,000 units being made ensuring the new car is highly exclusive. The car is expected to cost £160,000 ($265k).

GALLERY: McLaren MP4-12C

Official release after the jump:

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Shown for the first time a month ago at a private event in Molsheim, France, the Bugatti Galibier 16C sedan has now reportedly been given the green light to head into production.

The reported cost of the quad-turbo 16-cylinder sedan is £900,000 or roughly $1.5 million, with a possible production date of 2013. At that time the Veyron should have ceased its production run and the Galibier, will continue as the only model in the Bugatti lineup.

Named after a pass in the Alps, the Galibier is said to use a detuned version of the Veyron’s engine making more like 800hp, with an estimated top speed of around 220 mph. Rumors have also suggested the car will get an eight-speed automatic transmission, rather than the more performance-oriented dual-clutch setup found on the Veyron.

The body is made of both aluminum and carbon fiber with the car’s most unique trait being a Parmigiani Reverso Tourbillon timepiece which can be remove and warn as a watch by the owner.

GALLERY: Bugatti Galibier 16C

[Source: AutoExpress]

If you though Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric city car was both silly looking and impractical, perhaps the i-MiEV Cargo is more up your alley? Or perhaps not. With significantly more usable space, along with an even more ridiculous shape, the Cargo model is a concept that Mitsubishi is exploring for eventual production. The i-MiEV on which it’s based has already been given the green light with sales starting in Japan in April of 2010.

Designed more for urban transportation of goods than hauling hay, the tiny i-MiEV CARGO actually boasts a serious amount of cargo room, with the rear cargo space measuring 1,350 mm wide by 1,180 mm high and 1,100 mm high. That equates to 1,742.3 liters or 61.9 cubic feet of space.

The i-MiEV Cargo has a range of roughly 100 miles on a charge and makes 63hp and 133 ft-lbs of torque.

The i-MiEV Cargo will officially be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show on October 21st.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo

Official release after the jump:

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